The Rice Thresher (Houston, Tex.), Vol. 57, No. 22, Ed. 1 Thursday, March 12, 1970 Page: 6 of 8
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New Democratic Coalition stresses
social reform, priority reordering
By JOHN TURNER
Pluralism', a state of society in which members
of diverse ethnic, racial, religious, or social groups
maintain an autonomous participation in and
development of their traditional culture or special
interest within the confines of a common civiliza-
tion.
Merriam-Wehster, / 967
"Things can he done through the miracle of po-
litical action, people willing to go out and work
with the facts—and for once our side is indeed
armed with the facts."
Allard Lowenstein, 1970
With the.se bits of idealistic rhetoric J was
introduced to the New Democratic Coalition in
its conference "People and Politics" last month
in Chicago. 1 went with a long-bred skepticism
lor the entire electoral process in this country.
But I'm not going to try to sell the NDC to you
as a new political force; I prefer to simply ex-
plain what went on at the conference, explain
some of the things which were said, and then
see il anyone else is struck as I was with the
idea that politics can be returned to the people,
if. and this is the rub, if anyone can he made
to care.
The New Democratic Coalition had its origin
in Chicago at the 1968 Democratic National Con-
vention. A group of McCarthy, Kennedy, and
McGovern supporters met during the convention
week, disturbed with what they were seeing; the
coalition subsequently had its organizational
meeting October 5 and 6, 1968, in Minneapolis.
In the 17 months since that meeting the NDC
lias been organized in 35 states, with organiza-
tions forming in several others. The basis of
the coalition is the dedication of its members
to achieving radical change through electoral
ictivity.
'1 hey claim to seek the transformation of the
National Democratic- Party to a medium of basic
social change by adopting the tactic of relative
independence of the party and its candidates.
In order lor a candidate for any office to receive
upport from the NDC he must pass certain
criteria: he must oppose the War in Vietnam, lie
must seek remedies for the institutions of racism
and economic deprivation, he must favor thorough
party and Congressional reform, thorough re-
ordering of national priorities, relentless scrutiny
and paring of Pentagon demands. And his record
must be proof of the integrity of his rhetoric.
Abandon Lesser Evil Politics
Clearly these criteria do not require the can-
didate to necessarily be a Democratic candidate.
Io!in Lindsay's mayoralty campaign was filled
with NDC workers and supporters in New York,
tnd for the NDC this choice was apparently not
s painful one. Other choices of the coalition are
snore painful and frequently divisive to the Dem-
■ci'atie party, as in the '68 Presidential campaign,
and as in the recent gubernatorial races in New
■ y and Virginia. But in the NDC statement
••if purpose it is claimed that the coalition '"will
•:ot shy from painful divisive decisions. We will
i."t be locked into an electoral strategy based on
principle of the lesser evil which invariably
trades the prospect of basic change for the ad-
vantages of marginally superior Democratic can-
i idai.es,"
This is the basic appeal of the NDC to those
^ ii" tend to be very tired and fed up with the
present system, bogged down with tradition and
seniority and political debts. There finally seems
to lie a chance to create a "constituency of cons-
cience" of those who are concerned about where
Ave are going, and of those oppressed by the
inequities of the present system. The choice of
the Democratic Party as the proper medium in
the current political context seems a very prac-
tical one when viewing the velocity with which
the Republican party is moving right with Nixon's
Southern strategy, Supreme Court nominations,
et al.
Both the strength and theweakness of the NDC
is that, basic in its composition, it is indeed a
coalition. Represented on its steering committee
are leaders of most of the major progressive
movements active today, as well as representa-
tives from the older segments of the Democratic
party. At the Chicago conference were delega-
tions representing blacks, chicanos, American
Indians, the poor, peace groups, labor, farmers,
and students. And of course each group demanded
at some time a microphone and an audience. How-
ever, from this diverse gathering of very verbal
elements of dissent there was one sternly im-
pressive common denominator: a conscientious-
ness for the job to be done and a willingness to
listen.
There was a certain enthusiasm in the scores
of spontaneous bull sessions springing up between
every session, but it was particularly evident
during the day long discussions groups on the
second day of the conference: Sandy Wilkenson
and Sam Brown chairing discussions on the draft
and moratorium, John (Cashin) explaining the
forming of an entire new party in Alabama,
Wesley McCure of Group Research, Inc., explain-
ing and discussing the influence and organization
of the Right in different portions of the country.
Corporate heads Chaired some panels and dis-
cussed environmental control, a college president
discussed student activists; Lucius Walker dis-
cussed black militants, and Charley Palmer (NSA
president) chaired a discussion on just why stu-
dents were skeptical of the whole bunch. Indeed it
sounds more and more like any three-day bull
session. But the key word for this entire point
is "discussed." From these exchanges came the
very policy guidelines which will be used by the
organized NDC groups as criteria for candidate
evaluation and a basis for action in creating new
programs to fill new needs. People and Politics.
As does any .such conference, particularly any
conference politically oriented, there were a few
sessions filled with speeches from politicians of
varying degrees of fame. Without intending to
slight Sen. Harold Hughes, George Wiley, the
eloquent chairman of the National Welfare
Rights Organization, author Michael Harrington,
who superbly related . ecology and the war on
poverty to the New Politics, or William Kunstler'
speaking only hours before his sentencing by
Judge Hoffman, the most charismatic personality
at the conference was Congressman Allard Low-
enstein, perhaps the most important driving fo&e
behind the Dump Johnson movement in 68, and
behind the NDC since its inception. It was bis
speech during the Saturday night session that
finally tied down the concept which is the New
Democratic Coalition: the grass-roots progressive
movements today, the important ones, are finally
armed with facts. They no longer need to appeal
for support solely on an emotional level, like the
bleeding-heart liberals of politics in the past.
People cai\ work to do something about poverty
and injustice—but nothing is going to change
unless people are indeed willing to go out and
work with the facts.
People and Politics. Pluralism. Coalition. Coop-
reation. This is the political rhetoric of the new
politics. But more important: People, Ideas, Ac-
tion, and Work. This is the strengh of the New
Politics. The issues which are important to the
New Demorcratic Coalition are in general the
issues which are important to concerned' mem-
bers of the Rice community. And in a number of
Texas races this year these very issues will be
the primary points of debate. The politics of
protest have a tremendously important place in
the street, but without an equally strong support
in the electoral system the issues which are im-
portant in the street can never be realized as
effective change.
JOHN TURNER
Bernard Gold Dispensing Optician
Independent
Serving1 Houston Since 1952
Prescriptions, Repairs, Replacements
* Eyewear & Contact Lenses
Fellow In
International Academy of Opticianry
American Board of Opticianry
In the Village Off Kirby
2525 Times Blvd. JA 4-3676
Alumni employment help sought
The Student-Alumni Liaison
Committee lias recently an-
nounced the establishment of a
program designed to encourage
the employment of Rice students
by alumni of the University.
Known as REAP (Rice Employ-
ment, by Alumni Program), the
program is presently in its for-
mative stages. The alumni in
the Houston area are presently
being encouraged through let-
ters, the Sallyport, and various
other alumni publications, to
contact the Placement Office if
they wish to participate in the
program. The Placement Office
will keep in a specific file lists
of participating firms'with spec-
icif file lists of participating
firms with specific jobs avail-
able and lists of students who
have shown interest in the pro-
gram.
Presently REAP is concerned
primarily with summer jobs in
the Houston ai'ea, but it is
hoped later may be extended to
other locations. The coordinat-
ing committee in charge of
REAP is composed of Mr.
Chai'les F. Moser, Executive Di-
rector of the Rice Alumni As-
sociation, Kerry Vandell, Baker
College, and Ed Emmett, Lovett
College. Any suggestions to
these people concerning the pro-
gram would be welcomed.
Harold's Garage j;
HENRY J. ENGEL, Owner ] \
fa Automatic Transmissions;;
fa Paint & Body Shop
fa Air Conditioning
fa Wrecker Service
2431 Dunstan
JA 8-5323::
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JEWELERS FOR HOUSTON SINCE 1918
Diamonds—W atches—Charms—Cameras
Tape Recorders—Watch and Jewelry Repairs
Discount Prices Special Rice Jewelry
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BROOKS SYSTEM SANDWICH SHOPS
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24 HOUR LOCATIONS AT
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One Hour Martinizing
Our Clever Cleaners Clean Clothes Carefully
Discount for Rice Students
20% Off With ID Card
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page 6—the rice thresher, march 12, 1970
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Murray, Jack. The Rice Thresher (Houston, Tex.), Vol. 57, No. 22, Ed. 1 Thursday, March 12, 1970, newspaper, March 12, 1970; Houston, Texas. (https://texashistory.unt.edu/ark:/67531/metapth245079/m1/6/: accessed July 18, 2024), University of North Texas Libraries, The Portal to Texas History, https://texashistory.unt.edu.; crediting Rice University Woodson Research Center.